Design Evolution: Visit Local: Ace Hotel NYC & My Love for Roman & Williams

Somewhere between my the stress of preparing the Thanksgiving meal and the craziness of Christmas shopping Nick and I snuck away for a weekend in New York City. I live so close to New York but trips into the city generally consist of just running in after work to meet some friends for drinks or the occasional weekend trip to the museum. It's rare that we just get to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace. As I mentioned previously, local trips are going to be a more regular occurrence and this weekend at the Ace Hotel was just perfect. I scored a large king room from Jetsetter.com for about 30% off and then magically got upgraded to one of the incredible loft rooms. At 700 square feet, a bathroom with a claw foot tub & separate rainfall shower, and a corner banquet with great views, we were ready to move right in.

Since this weekend trip was to weeks before Christmas we couldn't resist wandering the neighborhood to see the Christmas sights like the Rockefeller Center tree, the skating rink & holiday market in Bryant Park, and store windows at Macy's. It's madness in New York during the holidays but I still enjoy it. We enjoyed dinner at the english-style restaurant in the Ace, The Breslin, run by April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, owners of Michelin starred restaurant, The Spotted Pig. The Breslin was recently awarded its first Michelin star and was worth the long wait. I'm dieing to try the suckling pig dinner served at the chef's table available for parties of 8 to 12.

(Please help, I'm dieing for those bedside lamps but can't find them anywhere. If you know who makes them I will love you forever.)

My search for those bedside lamps led me to the design firm responsible for this spectacular hotel. Roman and Williams, founded in 2002, have designed major residential projects in New York and Los Angeles. The firm recently completed the renovation and expansion of one of Frank Lloyd Wright's important Usonian houses, the renovation of the iconic Royalton Hotel, the Standard Grill and the 18th Floor Club, and of course the Ace Hotel - including The Breslin restaurant, Stumptown Coffee Shop, and most recently the John Dory Oyster Bar. I really connect with Roman and Williams work. Their esthetic is every evolving but always spans time frames, cultures, and styles.